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Emerging Filmmakers Digital Filmmaking

Session A (June 23, 2025 – July 11, 2025)
Session B (July 14, 2025 – August 1, 2025)
To stay up to date please join our interest form and follow us on Instagram at @uclaemergingfilmmakers

Applications Now Open!

Register Here

Join Our Virtual Office Hours

Have questions about our Emerging Filmmakers programs? Join our Virtual Office Hours every Wednesday from 12-1PM PT beginning January 8th, 2025. No appointment needed!
Virtual Office Hours
Meeting ID: 963 1539 5991
Passcode: 779089

Program Overview

UCLA Emerging Filmmakers Digital Filmmaking gives high school students from across the country and around the globe an unparalleled opportunity to study filmmaking at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world. The program is a three-week, intensive production workshop designed for highly motivated rising high school juniors, seniors, and 2025 High School graduates. Students are immersed in the creativity and technique of cinematic storytelling and challenged to create entertaining narrative projects.

  • Students use the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media’s latest editing software and digital cinema cameras.
  • Student work collaboratively on projects that are filmed as daylight exteriors on location across the UCLA campus.
  • The program curriculum consists of a combination of lectures, practical camera exercises, guest speakers, and post production labs.
  • Program activities include film screenings, guest speakers, and a visit to a Hollywood Studio.
  • Students will engage in one-on-one portfolio reviews focused on career pathways, including opportunities, tools and strategies available to aspiring filmmakers.
  • All films will be screened in a state-of-the-art theater during the certificate ceremony at the end of the workshop. Friends and family are welcome!

This is an intensive immersion experience for beginning filmmakers designed to form a basic understanding of the aesthetic, creative, and logistical decisions involved in making a film. While previous experience in digital filmmaking is not required, this is a disciplined and rigorous program and requires a significant time commitment. Please refer to the program schedule for details.

Curriculum

Under the guidance of working industry professionals, students will work together in small production groups to develop a narrative short film from development, pre-production, production, and post-production. Students will be encouraged to think critically about their own work and engage in feedback sessions to support the development of each project produced throughout the course. The program will explore filmmaking’s aesthetics, techniques, and practices and allow students to gain practical, hands-on experience through a combination of lectures, workshops, and camera exercises.

Students will engage in one-on-one portfolio reviews focused on career pathways, including opportunities, tools and strategies available to aspiring filmmakers.

UCLA Emerging Filmmakers will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program. The program does not carry college credit.

Due to the intensive nature of the program, a maximum of one excused program absence is permitted.

Portfolio Review

In the final week of the program, each student will have a one-on-one portfolio review with an industry professional to discuss their writing, their future academic and career goals and their ‘next-steps strategy’.

Eligibility

This track is open to high-school students enrolled in 10th-12th grade in Spring 2025 with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.

All students will be required to successfully complete a safety training course before the first day of the program to ensure safe practices while using film equipment and sound stages. Students will be provided ample time to complete this training before the start of the program, and more information will be sent to students once enrolled.

Online Registration

Registration opens February 15, 2025.

Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:

  • An unofficial transcript from grade 9 to present reflecting a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
    • If your school transcript utilizes a different grading system, please submit your transcript as is. If available, please attach a translation/equivalency guide.
    • INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: If you are an international student, a transcript refers to your complete secondary academic record. To learn more about converting your grades into a US-based GPA, please click here.
      • If your school has a translation/equivalency guide, please also include it with your transcript. If you do not have a translation/equivalency guide, please still submit your most up-to-date transcript as is for staff to review.
    • International students must also submit:

Eligible applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within two weeks. Early application is strongly encouraged.

There is a non-refundable application fee of $35.

 

Application Questions

  • Why would you like to participate in the program, and what do you expect to gain from the experience? (150 words or less)
  • What prior experience, if any, do you have in digital filmmaking? Include both academic coursework and extracurricular activities. Previous experience in digital filmmaking is not a requirement. (100 words or less)
  • Filmmaking requires creative collaboration at every stage. Describe a specific example of a recent collaborative experience when you positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. (250 – 300 words)
  • Artistic creativity and expression can be a vulnerable process, especially when working with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Describe a time you fostered an environment of inclusivity when working collaboratively. How did that experience impact how you approach creative collaboration? (200 – 250 words)
  • Students are expected to exhibit maturity inside and outside of the classroom and to abide by the UCLA Student Conduct Code. Bullying, academic dishonesty, and disorderly behavior, among other violations, will not be tolerated. Describe a time that you witnessed bullying or disrespectful behavior among your classmates. How did you respond? What did you learn? (150 – 200 words)
  • Is it better to be perfect and late, or good and on time? (100 words or less)
  • This is a disciplined and rigorous program. Describe a time you took on an academic challenge. What were some of the obstacles you encountered and how did you overcome them? Remember to be specific. (250 – 300 words)
  • You will be asked to provide two loglines for two original story ideas, based on your artistic style and the stories that interest you most.
    • Please provide logline #1. What theme(s) would you like to explore in this story? (100-150 words)
    • Please provide logline #2. What theme(s) would you like to explore in this story? (100-150 words)

Attending the UCLA Film and Television Digital Filmmaking Summer Institute was one of the best decisions I could have made. Working in the film industry has always been my biggest dream, and this program made me even more excited to have a career in this industry one day! The instructors were absolutely amazing, and I made friends that I still text with every day. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that no one should pass up!”

– Digital Filmmaking Student 2024

Supply List

External Hard Drive

7200 RPM External Hard Drive or Solid-State Drive (SSD) External Hard Drive w/ minimum 500GB Storage Capacity. Connectivity/Interface: USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt 2

Examples of acceptable drives:

  • SAMSUNG SSD T7 Portable External Solid-State Drive 500GB, USB 3.2 Gen 2, MU-PC500T/AM
  • G-Technology 500GB G-DRIVE ev RaW SSD Portable External Storage with Removable Protective Rubber Bumper – USB 3.0 – 0G04755-1

Additional Details

Schedule

Emerging Filmmakers Digital Filmmaking Session A (June 23, 2025 – July 11, 2025)
Emerging Filmmakers Digital Filmmaking Session B (July 14, 2025 – August 1, 2025)

Students are engaged in activities and classes along with breaks throughout the day from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. There may be some mandatory evening classes / workshops via zoom.

NOTE: All course meeting times are in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). The program schedule is subject to change.

Commuter Programs

UCLA Emerging Filmmakers Digital Filmmaking is a commuter program. Participants must commute to the UCLA campus each day of the program. Specific location information (e.g. classroom) will be provided to enrolled students closer to the start of the program.

For more information, we encourage parents and students to attend an upcoming info session.

Program Costs

Program Fee: $6020
Registration Fee: $350
Total Fee: $6370

Contact Emerging Filmmakers

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page to find answers to commonly asked questions about UCLA Emerging Filmmakers